[tripspace]

Heya all, I'm interested in organising a Scientology protest on the 10th of February, when scientology protests will be happening all over the world. I was thinking either the Church of Scientology Mission in Hung Hom or the Dianetics Centre in Sheung Wan. Would love to hear from anyone who is interested in coming along/helping!
For example does anyone know the government rules on protesting in HK- does the government have to be informed prior? Also anyone capable of translating english > written cantonese for flyers etc. Just to be clear, this protest is not an attack on a religion for it's beliefs: people are free to believe what they wish, but rather the numerous harmful and illegal practices the organization has carried out against it's members and critics for over 30 years. For more information;
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
www.xenu.net/
www.whyaretheydead.net/

[PDLM]

For public meetings / processions look at the three links here:
The Hong Kong Police - Forms Download

Personally I feel that Scientology has still some way to go before it catches up with all the Abrahamic religions in terms of the harm it does.

[climber07]

I am actually curious as to what you're protesting? Fools and their money were meant to be separated.

[tripspace]

Thanks for the info PDLM.

Climber07, unfortunately it's all a bit complicated but I will try not to be long-winded. The people being recruited generally unaware of whats happening; scientology has a large no. of front groups such as business orgs, or take personality/stress tests that always claim they are in dire need of help(which they can provide); also now there are a lot of children born into scientology. The beliefs and prices of 'treatment' begin relatively inexpensive and low key(none of the space xenu stuff) and build up, by which time the person will have invested too much of their live and money to turn their back on it.

Here I will have to start summarising; use of typical 'brainwashing' techniques such a sensory deprivation, prolonged interrogation known as auditing which is recorded and used as blackmail for some ex/members, practice of disconnection- intense pressure on members to never contact certain family members again, beliefs that psychology is evil therefore treating mentally diseased people in their care with vitamins leading to many deaths, belief all disease is psychosymatic preventing seriously ill members from receiving treatment, running countless people into terrible debt and sometimes even suicide, practice of harasing spying sueing slandering death threats etc. towards it's critics(fair game policy).

The list goes on, and perhaps none of it would really matter if it was just some small cult somewhere, but it's a massive international(all over asia now) *rich* organisation with very powerful connections(not to mention lawyers) and an extraordinary ability to censor it's critics. It's not honest about what it is, or does and I consider it a general threat to society.

[Boris]

So Tripspace. You ACTUALLY know this because you have experienced yourself first hand and are a " Recovering Scientologist "

Or Not and rely on " my friend says and I read this book and I saw the TV program " In which case Climbers notation duly applies.

Wrap up warm and take a hot Thermos of " Holier than Thou " water. If your lonely the Fulung Gong Dada are only a phone call away.

[tripspace]

I am not an ex-scientologist but i've been casually researching it for about two years now. I didn't look at a couple of websites and jump on the bandwagon, but have trawled through the absolute masses of info on the web, including many ex-scientologists stories, which is why I don't consider them stupid, but victimised by a dishonest organisation. You should do a little research yourself before you dismiss something you obviously don't really know about, and take a swig of that 'holier than thou' flask while your at it.

[KnowItAll]

Seriously dude .. find something a little bit more meaningful to protest about. (Gore's new found environmental crap might be a good starting point)

Who on this planet really gives a crap about scientologists?

Research what PT Barnum's fav quote is ..

[XI_YAN]

so just because the abuse is disguised as 'religion' it should not be protested? May I point out the book on which this is based is an entirely fictional work with not even the slightest pretense at being 'inspired by god'.

Yes one may be born every minute but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to protect them from their own stupidity - after all most laws are created to protect ppl from themselves.

[Boris]

Originally Posted by tripspace

I am not an ex-scientologist but i've been casually researching it for about two years now. I didn't look at a couple of websites and jump on the bandwagon, but have trawled through the absolute masses of info on the web, including many ex-scientologists stories, which is why I don't consider them stupid, but victimised by a dishonest organisation. You should do a little research yourself before you dismiss something you obviously don't really know about, and take a swig of that 'holier than thou' flask while your at it.

Yes -- there is nothing that gets one out protesting more that " I saw it on the internet ".

I really am the same as you when I happen upon some disparaging fact on Wikipedia or articles about the nonsense some people call the Holocaust and print pages of page of proof on websites. Yes - I really can see your point. The Internet is really the place to get proof, especially for a CASUAL Researcher.

Of course NO ONE would ever try and justify that they where stupid enough to get sucked into a cultists life , would they. What better ( and free place ) to put a view out into the Public Domain, that they were seduced, brainwashed, tortured et al, than post it on a blog or a web site. Sure would help on a CV when asked to comment on any mental health issues.

Indeed all of us here would agree that your means of understanding, that thing you choose to protest, has no need to be backed by Rock Solid Proof, Outstanding First Hand Experience and a one on one experience with his Holiness Tom Cruise. We all believe EVERYTHING on the Internet right?

May I suggest, seeing as you want to protest, LA. Its warmer and you can organize an intervention with Katie. Your beloved internet fact finders are convinced she is now a daughter of Satan and their offspring Craven Spawn of the Devil.

Better that than looking like a Cold Lonesome Crazy in HK. In LA you could just melt into the crowd of crazy's already there.

[XI_YAN]

ok I agree scientology is just another crazy cult of loonies but that doesn't mean they aren't a danger. Remember Jonestown and David Koresh?